In four years on the board, Supervisor Robert Lovingood has only one single accomplishment…sort of.

New Beginnings in the First District

When Robert Lovingood ran for office back in 2012, he and his supporters championed his business acumen. He was presented as an “all business” go-getter who would roll up his sleeves and get to work on behalf of the voters in the High Desert.

With a nation and county still reeling from the Great Recession, it was a solid job creation and fiscally conservative message that fit the political climate at the time. And he seemed like a credible, sincere fellow.

“Do-Nothing” Bob: Fair or Unfair?

Now that we have four years of his track record to look at, we see that the High Desert voters were snookered. Some have derisively mocked Supervisor Robert Lovingood for his lack of record and jokingly referred to him as “Do-Nothing” Bob.

Nope. Very Fair. Actually, too kind!

Originally, I thought these were just pithy put downs that we see every political season. But, I did some digging into his record and was shocked to discover how absolutely devoid of any real contributions and accomplishments the last four years were for Lovingood.

It isn’t an exaggeration to basically state he did nothing…literally. Let me repeat this because I am not exaggerating and will document it below.

Bob’s Got 94 Problems…

Including the upcoming meeting on October 18, there have been a total of 94 general board meetings since Lovingood took office. You can find a list of each one and their agendas here. Go to a regular board meeting agenda and open it. Once inside simply do a search for the word “Lovingood” and then locate each instance where Supervisor Lovingood was listed as a “presenter.”

Out of 94 regular board meetings, Lovingood is not listed as a presenter in 75 instances. That means he has brought nothing before the board for a vote. No policy change to improve county efficiency. No project to improve infrastructure. No initiative to create jobs. No measures designed to reduce crime.

Zip, nada, zilch.

He was just up there on the dais like a bump on a log 80 percent of the time.

So, what about the other 19 meetings? Surely, Lovingood offered up a plan for something, right? Nope.

In 17 of the remaining meetings, the only actionable item he brought before the board for a vote of his peers were contracts to hire employees to his staff or give them a raise. For example, when he hired a lobbyist who lives 300 miles away in Paso Robles to a $122,000 a year contract to fill a part-time position. Yes…you read that right. A six figure salary for a part-time job to a lobbyist who doesn’t even live in the region.

Hell, Las Vegas is closer!

So, that leaves two other meetings. On November 3, 2015, Lovingood presented an item exploring the possibility of converting a county service area to a community service district. I am not even sure if this ever amounted to anything. Regardless, nothing terribly significant.

That leaves one meeting in which Lovingood made a meaningful proposal. On March 1, 2016, right around the time candidates had to file papers to run for office in June — Lovingood directs the County’s CEO to work with county staff to improve prosecution of welfare fraud in the county.

Let’s Give Bob a Participation Medal

So, kudos to Supervisor Lovingood for your one lone accomplishment while in office. I mean…if you call stopping the bleeding and attempting to get back to the point where we started when you started your term in office an actual accomplishment.

The next time you hear “Do-Nothing” Bob talk about what he has done to lower crime, reduce homelessness, or create jobs — ask him where the beef is! He doesn’t have one damn policy or initiative presented to the board and passed by his colleagues since he took office that has actually moved the ball forward.

The only hope for “Do nothing Bob” is for Uncle Freddy to come in here and spread the word.

He can do it in his pajamas.

Joseph Turner on
October 16th, 2016 10:34 am

Just getting warmed up, Ken.

I got a few more rounds in the clip…trust me. 😉

Ken Beckmann on
October 16th, 2016 11:06 am

Well done! It’s about time someone expose this fat cat politician for what he really is. I heard he was under criminal investigation for conflicts of interest basically he’s been patting his own pockets while everyone else is going to pour I would like to see an article written about that as well as how he has benefited his business in temporary labor contracts through out the county and has removed sustainable jobs from our district with his temporary labor.

Joseph Turner on
October 16th, 2016 11:20 am

Mr. Beckman, thank you for the compliment.

As for your comments about Lovingood, I am afraid that I do not know much more about the subjects you presented. If you have additional information that you can send my way I will do my best to research it and see if there is any fire there.

All of my writings have my name attached to them and as such, I make great effort to document my writings with facts, citations and so forth. Unfortunately, that precludes me from veering off into the weeds and writing about murky subjects that border on smear campaigns.

I have heard many people make statements similar to what you mentioned, but I have yet to really see anyone present any evidence to support them. I am not saying it isn’t true…just that I have yet to find anything that would prove these allegations.

If you come across anything shoot it out to me and I will take a look.

You are also welcome to submit a public information request to the county for any information you seek. However, if past performance is any indicator of future results, you won’t get much as the county always finds a reason for why it can’t release information.

Anonymous on
October 16th, 2016 11:17 am

I would like to see an article on the rumors about him having a arrest record for manslaughter DUI and not paying his taxes in Georgia.. I heard he changed his name from Robert Fishmen to Lovingood because he had such a sordid past I’d like to know if there’s any truth to that.

Joseph Turner on
October 16th, 2016 11:26 am

Anonymous, I have heard rumblings of a DUI arrest from the 80s as well. I have not heard anything about it involving manslaughter. That would take it to a whole different level. Also, I am not familiar with anything about him not paying taxes.

Assuming the DUI is legit, I am honestly not all that moved by it. We are all human beings and we all have had our foibles. I would like to think that everybody should have a shot at personal redemption and a second act. Therefore, I try to stick to job performance when I write about politics…unless I believe the character flaws are so glaring that it must impact their job performance (e.g. Hillary Clinton).

But manslaughter is a big deal. If you have info on that get it to me.

Anonymous on
October 16th, 2016 1:00 pm

This dirtbag incompetent should be defeated for failing to repair the potholed Needles Highway. This is malfeasance . Also he should have fired the Cancer Deveraux, worlds worst CEO.

Colleen on
October 16th, 2016 5:41 pm

Robert Lovingood is so corrupt and unethical it is not a joke. He doesn’t pay overtime he miscodes workers-comp to get lower rates, he does not ensure safe working environment. He mistreats temp workers and he is a mean arrogant asshole. He operates his business on County dime. He moved his office out of the county center so he could use his county staff to run ICR. He tells management not to hire blacks(he refers to them as the N Word) because they are lazy and only hire Mexicans in the trash companies. He trades his votes for staffing contracts in the county. Fred Aguilar is a County paid campaign consultant. He raises money for Lovingood’s campaigns and tells Lovingood how to vote to on issues to obtain more contracts for ICR Staffing and Athens Trash. Lovingood is corrupt and speaks horrible about county workers. He calls them lazy losers who should all be working for ICR Staffing as temps with no benefits.

Joseph Turner on
October 16th, 2016 5:58 pm

Colleen, that was a laundry list of charges. Do you have any proof to corroborate any of that — in particular the blacks/N-word accusations? Did you use to work for him?

Joe, I hope you are being paid for this. Your writing is worth gold. Be sure the next time they throw the race card at you, you will have a member of one of Orange County’s leading civil rights families standing up to publicly defend you.

For the record, I have hired several blacks and they all worked very well. My main man came from a temporary agency on 11/1/1999. I hired him on 11/2/1999 and he is still with me.

Joseph Turner on
October 17th, 2016 12:03 pm

Ha! I wish I was getting paid.

I just love to fight for what I believe in — so getting to taste my own blood and being able to wash another’s off my hands from time to time is my reward.

Like I said somewhere else on this site, I have zero respect for any individuals that turn a blind eye to the sexual abuse of children. It lights a fire in me.

Kenneth Holtz on
October 17th, 2016 8:39 am

Facebook users beware of a small group called Neighbors United located here in the high desert no doubt a anti Valles site is spewing their BS.

When challenged on their rhetoric or sources they can’t explain.

Some one posted two links on the articles here by Joe Turner and either the group has shut down or blocked those who challenged them.